consists not in seeking new landscapes,
but in having new eyes.
--Marcel Proust
Each new year, millions of people make resolutions, vowing to do things differently. That's not surprising since New Year's is an opportunity to begin anew; it's the perfect time to look at areas that need adjustment.
But it's important to remember that we must participate in rituals of purification and closure before we can bring a new vision into being. Think of it as putting a period at the end of a sentence in order to allow us to move on. Otherwise, we are constantly pulled backwards.
Remember that since a part of your psyche doesn't know the difference between a ritual and an actual event, rituals have great power and influence over the mind.
As we move into the new year, we can focus on bringing balance and harmony into our lives and on imbuing the coming year with the qualities we most desire. We can also set the intention to appreciate the present moment, which, in turn, brings sacred meaning to our daily rituals.
Many years ago the Bulgarian master Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov told me that the first 12 days of January represent the whole year. January 1st stands for the month of January, January 2nd stands for February, and so on. By practicing loving kindness, openness, and generosity while giving thoughtful attention to the significance of each day, you will consecrate the coming year.
The real spirit of the New Year--the heart and core of inner life--is love. We need to celebrate the beginning of a new year through expressions of love for ourselves, one another, and God.
To restore meaning to our New Year's traditions, we can look to our own roots, exploring the practices of our ancestors and borrowing from ancient cultures. We live in a time when people are feeling the lack of meaningful celebrations. Let this year be a living ritual to peace and understanding.
